Imagining the Unimaginable

Yesterday, I attended one of the most difficult funerals ever. Two young people, age 40 and 41, cut down at the prime of life, in a terrible car accident that also severely injured their three children now hospitalized in Lubbock. I wrote about this calamity earlier this week and how the Jewish community of Houston was in mourning, yet again.

And, while most Jewish funerals are held graveside, the expected crowd caused the family to move the service to the synagogue. More than 1,500 people gathered to honor the memories of these two individuals – who brought strong and caring passion to their family, to their work and to their community.

Walking into the sanctuary yesterday, I knew to expect a sad and difficult service – but it was much worse than even I had anticipated. From seeing the two coffins at the front of the sanctuary to listening to the outpouring of love and support from three rabbis – each of whom had a different relationship to the couple.

Listening to the siblings pour out their hearts, describing the events of recent days including how they told the parents and how they told the children of what had happened. It was as if life had stopped and we were watching a movie. But, the movie was real and these two young people, Josh and Robin Berry, had been killed.

Across the sanctuary, you could hear weeping and crying. You could feel the pain of the community even as they comforted the family.

And, there are the children of this couple. Three youngsters alone yet not alone – orphans yet surrounded by a loving family and five loving friends who immediately flew to Lubbock and who have been at their bedsides since the accident.

As was said repeatedly, the future for them is uncertain – they have severe injuries to overcome, an emotional trauma to deal with and a new household in which they will be raised. But, there will be no lack of love – that was abundantly clear from all that was said.

As I left the synagogue, I was left with a feeling that – for the parents and the family – this was truly imagining the unimaginable. It was a terribly sad day for them and a day of mourning for the community.